A feasibility study into the use of the tilt table in the early postoperative rehabilitation of patients undergoing sacrectomy surgery with plastic reconstruction within the Orthopaedic Oncology Service.

Early tilt table use after sacrectomy was safe and enabled a faster achievement of functional goals, thereby reducing LOS. This highlights the need for further evaluation of rehabilitation practice for this group of patients.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONMultidisciplinary discussion between the plastic surgeon, the tissue viability nurse and the physiotherapist about post-operative precautions and their impact on rehabilitation is essential and may enable earlier use of the tilt table.Early use of the tilt table can enable quicker mobilisation leading to the faster achievement of functional milestones and potentially a reduced length of stay (LOS) without detriment to patient outcomes/complications.The early use of the tilt table can support the central goal of surgery of enabling independence, especially as with such extensive surgery there is a big risk of institutionalisation and prolonged disability.There are potential mental health benefits to earlier mobilisation; however, this needs further investigation.